Hitching-post.



J. R. WESTON.

HITOHING POST,

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1912.

1,093,089. Patented Apr. 14, 191 1 1 v avwwntoz H 1/. E. W v2 027/ JOHN ROBERT WESTON, OF DUBITQUE, IOWA.

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Specification of Letters Patent. Patgnted A13 14 191% Application filed June 24,1912. Serial No. 705,568.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN ROBERT Wns- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dubuque, in the county of Dubuque and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hitching-Posts; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in hitching posts.

One object of the invention is to provide a hitching post having an improved means for securing a strap thereto, thereby obviating the necessity of tying the strap, and permitting the animal to be fastened by one of the driving reins or lines.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which will be simple, strong,

durable, and inexpensive in construction,

efiicient and reliable in operation, and ornamental in appearance.

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, and the combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of my improved hitching-post with the strap engaging parts in closed position; Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same with the parts as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a similar view with the parts in open position; Fig.4 is ahorizontal sectional view taken on the line H of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

My improved hitching post comprises a head 1, which may be of any suitable size and shape, but is preferably of ornamental design, and is shown in the present instance as representing a dogs head, said head being secured to a standard 2 or any other suitable support. In the part of the post representing the nose and jaws of the head is a horizontally disposed rectangular recess which is connected at its inner end with a slot 4. which extends back and opens through the rear side of the head as shown.

Slidably mounted in the recess 3 is a strap gripping jaw 5, in the upper portion of which is a strap receiving notch 6. The jaw 5 is rectangular in cross section and of slightly less width than the width of the recess 3, so that when the strap 7 is looped over or engaged with the notch 6 a sufficient space will be provided between the sides of the jaw and the adjacent sides of the recess to receive the parts of the strap when the aw is retracted and the looped portion of the strap engaged therewith drawn back into the recess, as clearly shown in Fig. 4: of the drawing. Thus it will be seen by referring particularly to Fig. 4 that the strap or rein to be temporarily secured to the post will be bindingly engaged between the opposite inner flat walls of the recess in the post and the vertical walls of the slidable jaw 5, thereby holding said strap or line from slipping or otherwise becoming released.

The jaw 5 is retracted to fasten the strap and projected to release the same by a suitable operating mechanism comprising a disk 8 which is pivotally mounted in the rear or outer end of the slot 4- and is provided on its outer edge with an operating lever or handle 9. Eccentrically connected at one end to the disk 8 and at its opposite end to the inner end of the jaw 5 is a link 10 which is disposed in the slot 4, and when the disk 8 is turned in one direction or the other is adapted to project and retract the jaw 5 to inoperative and operative positions, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawmg.

The outer end of the link 10, which is connected to the disk 8, is curved as shown at 11, whereby when'the disk is turned to the position wherein the jaw is fully retracted, the pivotal connection of said curved end of the link will be disposed beyond or on the outer side of the pivotal connection and center of the disk 8, thereby locking the link and jaw 5 in their retracted positions. When the jaw has been thus retracted and fastened, it will be readily seen that the strap or rein engaged with the aw will be drawn inwardly and firmly secured to the post and the animal thereby firmly hitched or fastened, In thus fastening the rein, it will be seen that the necessity of tying a knot therein or providing a snap hook or other fastening attachment is en tirely obviated. It will be noted that the disk operating lever 9 is curved downwardly or inwardly at its outer end so that when the lever is swung downwardly to an operative position to fasten the line the end of the lever will be brought into engagement with the rear side of the post, thus preventing any object from being caught in the lever, and thereby releasing the jaw.

When it is desired to release or unfasten the strap, it is simply necessary to grasp the lever or handle 9 and swing the same upwardly, thereby turning the disk 8 and cansing the link 10 to project the jaw 5, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. V

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the construction and operation will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention, as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

In a hitching post, a head having a reduced front rein receiving portion, the latter having formed therein a rectangular shaped longitudinal recess extending entirely through the head, the rear portion of said recess being inclined upwardly, a rectangular shaped strap gripping aw slidably mounted in the forward portion of the recess and having therein a straa engaging notch forming an outer upstan ing end, a disk pivotally mounted in the inclined portion of the recess and provided with a curved operating handle, a link having one end pivotally secured within the inner end of said jaw with its outer end curved and eccentrically pivoted to said disk, whereby when the jaw is completely retracted the end of the curved handle of the disk will be in contact with the head and the outer end of the rein receiving jaw flush with the outer end of the head, the strap fastening jaw being of sufficient width to receive and bindingly hold the rein between its opposite sides and the inner adjacent walls of the recess through which it passes.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses. 7

JOHN ROBERT \VESTON.

Vitnesses:

JOHN ROBERT VALLER, MARJORIE LEAR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

